Hunter McCoy signs with Methodist

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 10, 2014 1:48 PM

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The confident, determined swagger didn't go unnoticed when Hunter McCoy stepped into the head football coach's office at Methodist University.

"I can see in your eyes that you have some unfinished business, it sounds like," Methodist head coach C.J. Goss said.

"Yeah, you're right coach," McCoy replied. "My whole high school career didn't go the direction I really wanted it to."

The two candidly talked about family, the hard work and preparation needed to succeed in college and the daily grind McCoy would face in the Monarchs' program. They discussed McCoy's role as a freshman receiver.

The Wayne School of Engineering senior listened intently and absorbed the conversation like a sponge. A cloudy decision became clear and he signed a letter of commitment with the Monarchs, who won the USA South Conference regular-season championship in 2013.

"He saw the chip on my shoulder as soon as I walked in," McCoy said. "It got on a personal level, so I wanted to be one hundred percent honest with him. It's crazy how he read me like that, but I felt an immediate connection.

"He said 'Hunter, I see you playing here and this is the program for you.'"

But before that meeting with Goss, McCoy had nearly decided to attend another USA South school -- N.C. Wesleyan. But he didn't feel completely confident about his choice and sought his parents' advice. They suggested he should visit Methodist.

The small-school and family-like atmosphere, a top-notch athletic training and physical therapy program and his conversation with Goss steered McCoy toward Fayetteville.

"I just felt good vibes," McCoy said.

McCoy spent four seasons in the Goldsboro High program. He moved up to varsity for the 2010 playoffs and stayed there the remainder of his prep career. The Cougars won the 2012 Carolina 1-A Conference regular-season championship.

A standout academic performer at WSE, McCoy compiled 249 yards receiving and two touchdowns on 20 catches this past fall.

He wants to do more at Methodist.

"Coach (Goss) sees that I still have the desire to be out there ... more stuff to do in my career," McCoy said. "Football is an emotion-driven sport that's almost addictive, makes you work harder to be better because the feeling of losing is terrible. I know there are always things you have to improve on."

Methodist ranked No. 7 nationally with 330-plus passing yards per game last season. Max Reber threw for 2,998 yards and 26 touchdowns, and accounted for 3,642 yards of total offense during his junior campaign.

However, Reber lost three receivers -- Vaughn Cross, Princeton High School alum Patrick Jacobs and Blake Scott -- to graduation. The trio combined to haul in more than 2,200 yards and 25 TDs.

The 6-foot-2 McCoy, who has added 20 pounds in the offseason, sees himself as one of Reber's targets next fall. But he's aware that his footwork and speed must improve, and he must adjust to a demanding schedule that includes early-morning workouts.

"There's a lot to juggle because they say college football becomes your life," McCoy said. "I have to make sure my responsibilities and priorities are way up. It's going to be a big transition, but I can do it. I'm ready for a change."